News Summary
- Sergio Pérez admits he is approaching the end of his Formula 1 career, although he has not announced a retirement date and remains contracted to Cadillac through 2027.
- The Mexican says Cadillac’s development is taking longer than he initially expected, with the American manufacturer still searching for its first championship point.
- Pérez wants to spend more time with his four children, but remains determined to help Cadillac become competitive before leaving Formula 1.
Sergio Pérez has admitted that his Formula 1 retirement is approaching, acknowledging that Cadillac’s development is taking longer than expected and that his desire to spend more time with his family could limit his remaining years in the championship. The Mexican returned to the grid in 2026 after a season away but is already considering how much longer he wants to continue racing.
Speaking to Mexican broadcaster Televisa ahead of the United States and Mexico City Grands Prix, Pérez explained that he wants Cadillac to become his final major Formula 1 project. However, the 36-year-old stressed that he has not established a specific date for retirement and remains motivated by the challenge of developing the American team.
Pérez signed a two-year agreement covering 2026 and 2027 when Cadillac recruited him alongside Valtteri Bottas. The team remains last in the Constructors’ Championship without points, having struggled with reliability problems and a slower development rate than initially anticipated.
Pérez admits F1 retirement is closer than expected
Pérez acknowledged that the demands of Formula 1 have become more significant as his career progresses, particularly because of the time spent away from his family.
The Mexican has competed in the championship since 2011, representing Sauber, McLaren, Force India, Racing Point, Red Bull and Cadillac.
After spending 2025 away from the grid following his departure from Red Bull, Pérez returned with a different perspective on his career.
He explained that the experience helped him appreciate racing again, but also made him more conscious of the personal sacrifices required to compete internationally.
“I’m aware that we are much closer to the end than the beginning, but that’s why I want to fully enjoy these Grands Prix — they are a dream,” Pérez said.
The Cadillac driver added that he remains enthusiastic about competing but does not expect to continue indefinitely.
“It’s a project that requires more time than I initially thought,” he said about Cadillac’s development. “I think giving a specific number of years is difficult, but it won’t be much longer.”
His comments do not represent a formal retirement announcement or confirmation that he will leave Cadillac at the end of 2027. Instead, Pérez is evaluating how the team’s progress and his personal priorities will influence the final stage of his career.
Cadillac’s slow progress complicates Pérez’s final F1 project
Cadillac entered Formula 1 in 2026 as the championship’s 11th team, selecting Pérez and Bottas to provide experience during its debut season.
The American manufacturer has encountered significant difficulties, particularly involving reliability and the development of its first car.
Pérez has achieved a best finish of 14th on two occasions, while Cadillac remains without a championship point. The team has also suffered several retirements caused by mechanical problems, limiting opportunities to collect data and evaluate improvements.
The Mexican previously expressed frustration with the lack of progress, arguing that Cadillac had not improved as much as he expected.
The concerns prompted team principal Marcin Budkowski to explain that the organisation needed to balance immediate development with preparations for 2027.
The team principal emphasised that building a competitive Formula 1 operation requires time, particularly when establishing engineering processes and infrastructure from scratch.
Pérez now accepts that the project may take longer than he initially anticipated, although he remains committed to helping the organisation progress.
Pérez wants Cadillac to be his final major F1 project
Despite acknowledging that retirement is approaching, Pérez does not want to leave Formula 1 without seeing Cadillac make meaningful progress.
The Mexican described the American team’s development as a central motivation for returning to the championship.
In comments reported by El Economista, Pérez explained that he wants Cadillac to become his final major project in Formula 1 and hopes to leave once the team has established itself among the championship’s leading competitors.
That ambition creates a difficult balance.
Cadillac is still in the early stages of building its technical organisation, and becoming a regular points-scoring team will require improvements in performance, reliability and operational execution.
Moving towards the front of the grid would represent an even greater challenge.
Pérez recognises that such progress cannot be guaranteed within the remaining period of his existing contract.
Nevertheless, he believes his experience with established teams can help Cadillac accelerate its development.
The Mexican spent four seasons alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull, contributing to two Constructors’ Championships and finishing runner-up in the 2023 Drivers’ Championship.
He considers that experience particularly valuable when working with engineers and management personnel who are building a new Formula 1 operation.
Family could determine when Pérez leaves Formula 1
Pérez identified his four children as one of the most important factors in his eventual retirement decision.
Formula 1’s international calendar requires drivers to spend substantial periods travelling between continents, with limited time at home during the season.
The Mexican explained that his children are reaching an age when he wants to be more present in their lives.
“What really holds me back is my kids,” Pérez said.
He acknowledged that he understands why Fernando Alonso continues racing into his forties, but suggested that his own circumstances are different.
“I would love to stay as long as Fernando, for example, but my children are at an age where I want to be around more,” he added.
In a separate interview with Motorsport.com, Pérez explained that he believes he could continue competing for several more years from a physical and sporting perspective.
However, he wants to pursue other activities outside Formula 1 and avoid sacrificing too much family time.
The distinction is important because Pérez does not consider a lack of competitiveness or motivation to be the principal reason for retiring.
His decision will depend on the balance between the opportunities available in racing and the life he wants beyond the championship.
Pérez says Cadillac comeback restored his confidence
Pérez’s return to Formula 1 followed a difficult conclusion to his Red Bull career.
The Mexican struggled during the second half of 2024, failing to match Verstappen’s results and eventually losing his seat despite having previously signed a contract extension.
He spent 2025 away from the championship before agreeing to join Cadillac.
Although the American team has not been competitive enough to challenge regularly for points, Pérez believes his performances have helped restore confidence in his abilities.
“People who understand Formula 1 know the level I am driving at,” he said.
The Mexican added that returning to the championship allowed him to demonstrate that the circumstances surrounding his final period at Red Bull had affected his results.
His comments reflect an argument he has made repeatedly during 2026: that a driver’s performance cannot be judged solely by finishing positions without considering the competitiveness and characteristics of the car.
Cadillac’s difficulties have therefore not prevented Pérez from enjoying aspects of his return.
He has described the opportunity to influence the team’s development as particularly rewarding, because his role extends beyond driving.
The American organisation has involved him in technical discussions and long-term planning, allowing him to contribute to decisions that would normally be handled by more established engineering structures.
Cadillac prepares for Austin and Pérez’s home Grand Prix
Pérez’s comments arrive during an important period for Cadillac, with the team preparing for consecutive races in the United States and Mexico.
The American manufacturer has introduced a special Texas-inspired livery for the United States Grand Prix, incorporating Western embroidery, horseshoes, cacti and other references to American culture.
Cadillac’s cowboy-inspired design will appear on the cars of Pérez and Bottas at Austin, reflecting the manufacturer’s identity during its first Formula 1 season.
Pérez will also give up his car during Friday’s opening practice session, allowing development driver Colton Herta to complete another official appearance.
Herta will replace Pérez in FP1 at Circuit of The Americas, returning to the circuit where he secured his first IndyCar victory in 2019.
The Mexican will resume driving in FP2 and complete the remainder of the weekend.
After Austin, Formula 1 travels directly to Mexico City for the Grand Prix on November 1.
The event will carry particular significance for Pérez, who is approaching his 300th Formula 1 start in front of his home supporters.
The Mexico City Grand Prix follows Austin on October 30–November 1, with the Mexican hoping to give Cadillac a stronger result during one of the most important weekends of his season.
Will Sergio Pérez race for Cadillac in 2027?
Pérez remains under contract with Cadillac through the 2027 season, and neither the driver nor the team has announced a change to that agreement.
The Mexican’s recent comments concern the longer-term direction of his career rather than an immediate departure.
His decision about continuing beyond the current contract will depend on Cadillac’s progress, the opportunities available and his family priorities.
The manufacturer has repeatedly emphasised the importance of Pérez’s experience in developing its Formula 1 programme.
However, the driver has made clear that he does not intend to extend his career indefinitely simply to wait for Cadillac to become competitive.
For now, Pérez remains focused on helping the team improve while enjoying the final stage of a career that has included six Grand Prix victories and a championship runner-up finish.
